(1)The monitoring body must have regard to any guidance given by the Scottish Ministers to it in relation to the exercise of its functions under this Part.
(2)Before giving guidance under subsection (1), the Scottish Ministers must consult, in so far as reasonably practicable, the persons mentioned in subsection (3).
(3)Those persons are—
(a)the monitoring body; and
(b)such other persons,
as the Scottish Ministers consider appropriate.
(4)The Scottish Ministers may vary or revoke guidance given under this section and where guidance is varied to a substantial extent, subsections (2) and (3) apply.
(5)The Scottish Ministers must publish any guidance given under this section.